Henderson High junior defender Erin Anderson has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at the University of George Mason.

Anderson is a three-year starter who was an Honorable Mention Ches-Mont League pick last year. She plays club lacrosse for PA Express.

Henderson junior Erin Anderson has committed to George Mason

Anderson, who is a member of the Spanish National Honor Society and a future member of the National Honor Society, will major in sports management with a minor in journalism.

Henderson coach Kim Jackson described Anderson as a tenacious defender who has quick feet and a good stick. She was second on the Warriors in caused turnovers last year.

Anderson was impressed by George Mason’s campus and the comfort level the student life and the adjacent town gave her.

“I really liked the town,” Anderson said. “Basically, it’s just like the town that I live in. So it won’t make me get homesick or anything my freshman year.”

“It made me feel like I was already a part of the college and it was just a really great experience,” Anderson added.

During her campus visit, Anderson was exposed to the closeness of the team and how the student body supports their teams while at a basketball game. But the coaches were one of the biggest influences.

“They’re all so relatable and they all kind of know what’s going on because they all played in college, they were coached by other coaches,” Anderson said. “They know what works and what doesn’t.”

Fellow defender Melissa Nollen has also committed to play lacrosse, at Division II West Chester. Two other Philly players have signed with George Mason: Downingtown West defender Sally Clark and Souderton midfielder Kirstin Russell.

Henderson is off to a 2-2 start, including big wins over Haverford High and Abington. Anderson feels the team has a promising season ahead.

“The team looks [like] it’s going to be one of our best years,” Anderson said. “We’re hoping to make it to playoffs and hopefully further than the first round.”